Speeding drivers put highways workers at risk

Drivers are being urged to stop risking the lives of road workers by speeding into coned off areas on a motorway at night.

A contractor said several motorists had driven "at high speed" into a site where staff were maintaining a bridge overnight connecting the M6 and M42 in Warwickshire.

One vehicle even stopped to ask personnel for help after being unable to take the M42 exit, National Highways said.

National Highways Project manager James Harman said: "Nobody should have to go to work knowing they may be at risk because of the thoughtless and dangerous actions of some people."

The underside of the steel bridge, which crosses the M6, is being cleaned and repainted to prevent rusting.

The junction four A southbound exit slip road has been closed overnight since May to enable the work.

Adrian Pike, of Concrete Repairs Limited, encouraged drivers to follow signage and drive safely past shut lanes.

"We have seen several instances where members of the public have entered the closed working area at high speed with complete disregard for the safety of the workforce," he said.

Mr Harman said the safety of highways workers was an agency priority.

"There are a minority that put these key workers at risk, often unintentionally," he added.

"We don't want anyone putting that safety at risk either intentionally or carelessly, and would urge all drivers to pay extra attention when travelling through these essential roadworks."

Traffic management on the scheme has changed this week, with the M6 southbound now fully closed between junctions four A and four from 21:00 to 06:00 BST until September.

There are also two lanes closed in both directions on the approach to the closures, with diversions routes via Coleshill and Water Orton signed.

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